STURGEON BAY, Wis. — As Hawaiian residents cope with the impact of a deadly wildfire, a small business in northeast Wisconsin is stepping in to assist.
This is not the first time Door County Candle Company has helped people in need.
“It’s devastating. You just want to do everything you can to help and as much as you can to help,” Christiana Trapani said.
Trapani owns Door County Candle Company. She reflected on how the wildfires have decimated Lahaina. She said this tragedy hits close to home.
“Maui to my husband and I is a very special place because that’s actually where we got engaged,” Trapani said.
When the Maui wildfires happened, Trapani said knew she wanted to help raise money. So, she created orange candles with a special native smell.
“It’s the scent of Liliko’i, which is a Hawaiian passionfruit,” Trapani said.
Trapani said using candles to positively impact lives is her company’s new mission. Through candle sales, she’s raised a tidy sum to help other crisis victims and get national attention.
“So, for Ukraine, we have raised a million dollars,” Trapani said.
Carol Burlew has worked at Door County Candle for six years. In that time, there have been many tragedies. She said she’s amazed at the number of times Trapani and the community have stepped in to help.
“It’s humbling for us to work here. People are so appreciative of everything we’re doing,” Burlew said.
Burlew said these orange candles mean a lot to her because she too has a special connection to Hawaii.
“My husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary there, and we took our children back and we just have beautiful memories of Lahaina,” Burlew said.
Coincidentally, before the wildfires struck, Trapani said another Hawaiian philanthropic endeavor was already in the works.
“We were meeting with the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute, which is a nonprofit that is a sea turtle hospital. We are meeting with them and working on a candle to help raise money for them,” Trapani said.
The company is continuing to make candles that turn compassion into action. It’s having a big global impact.
Trapani said her company has already raised over $18,000 for Maui relief efforts. Door County Candle Company also announced Wednesday that they will be donating 100% of profits from the candle.